Oh the joys of raising a RAD teenager with Autism..

I mentioned earlier that the E's returned home this afternoon from their grandparents.  It's nice to have them home because I missed'em. With that said, we are once again thrust back into the  reality of our lives. When the younger boys are gone, Lizze and I can relax because we don't have to supervise Gavin's every move.  When Elliott and Emmett are home, Gavin is not allowed unsupervised contact with them. This is a rule created by Gavin's psychiatric professionals and we have to enforce it. We totally agree with it but it's exhausting to enforce.  Since the boys have returned home, we will have to clock back in and put the rules and restrictions back into place. I really wish it wasn't this way. I wish we could trust…

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Today’s Topic: Managing Problem Behaviors

I want to try and get back to doing Daily Topics. Today's topic was requested by my readers know Facebook. We are going to be talking about Managing Problem Behaviors. Things like meltdowns, aggressive behaviors and anything else that's on topic. No question will be looked on as silly. We can all help each other by sharing our own experience and knowledge. Don't be shy and join the discussion.  Ask questions or answer someone else's. This discussion will take place right here in the comments below as well as on Facebook (www.facebook.com/lostandtiredblog). Comments made in the Facebook thread should be imported into the comments below. This site is managed almost exclusively via WordPress for Android. Please forgive any typos as autocorrect HATES me. ;-) Follow @Lost_and_Tired Visit the My Autism Help…

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Do you ever find Facebook depressing? I sure do..

Every once in awhile, I find myself really depressed by Facebook. It's not so much Facebook as it is reading other people's updates.  Let me explain..... It's not that I'm unhappy with my life because I wouldn't trade it for anything. However, there are things that I miss or feel like I'm missing out on.  One of the biggest things lacking in my life, is probably friends. I had lots of friends in both high school and college.  I thought I would take many of these friends with me throughout life.  I was wrong about that. Facebook is the only window I have into my old friendships. As many of you probably already know, when you're a special needs parent, you don't always have the luxury of friendships. It's never…

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Perry the Platypus by Elliott Richard

Check out what Elliott drew yesterday.  It's a picture of Perry the Platypus.  He's super stoked about this and it will of course be joining the ever growing collection of art covering our bathroom walls.  This site is managed almost exclusively via WordPress for Android. Please forgive any typos as autocorrect HATES me. ;-) Follow @Lost_and_Tired Visit the My Autism Help Forums To reach me via email, please Contact Me

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We’re being invaded O_o

We have just been invaded by our kids retuning from their grandparents.  What once was quite has become loud and demanding.  Oh lord... The fighting has already begun and my head is ready to explode.  This site is managed almost exclusively via WordPress for Android. Please forgive any typos as autocorrect HATES me. ;-) Follow @Lost_and_Tired Visit the My Autism Help Forums To reach me via email, please Contact Me

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Why I’m so stressed out?

I thought that since this blog is working once again, I'd get some sharing in while I can... I'm always looking to try and help provide insight and perspective to those in the world that have little or no experience living the life of a special needs parent.  The truth is that everyone experiences stress in their lives and stress is a very relative phenomenon. I thought that I would share just a few of the things that have been stressing me out lately.  Maybe you can relate, maybe you can't.  Either way, you can gain some perspective into my life. In my life as a special needs parent, I have stressful days and nights.  Some days and nights are better than others but they are almost always stressful.  To…

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What reading material is in your bathroom?

I mentioned the other day that we are working to make the bathroom less scary for the two E's.  We are doing so by decorating the closet door with their artwork.  That's how it got started anyway.  The boys wanted to decorate the rest of the bathroom and have done so with great pleasure.  As you can see, there are now pictures everywhere.  There are actually more pictures now because this is an older picture.  The way I see it, if it makes them feel better than who am I to say no? The big picture is that they are becoming more comfortable in their home and that works my heart.  This site is managed almost exclusively via WordPress for Android. Please forgive any typos as autocorrect HATES me. ;-) Follow…

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Find out how Gavin’s day is going

Generally speaking, Gavin is the kind of kid that seems to really struggle most of the time.  Whether it's a behavioral issue or something related to his health, more often than not, he's having a rougher daybreak most other people.  Having said that, Gavin is doing really well today.  He's building with Legos (since the other boys aren't home) and watching his favorite shows on Netflix.  As a single child, Gavin is vastly different.  It's when other children are around that he becomes much more difficult.  For right now though, he has our undivided attention and no other kids to worry about.  He's having an awesome day.  This site is managed almost exclusively via WordPress for Android. Please forgive any typos as autocorrect HATES me. ;-) Follow @Lost_and_Tired Visit the My…

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